Paul Components
Chain Keeper
Chain Accessories

Product Description

Ideal for cyclocross bikes and 1 x9 drivetrains. Pauls Chain Keeper surroundsThe chain where it engages withThe chainring, preventing it from skipping off. Accommodates a range of chain line measurements and chainring sizes Not designed for downhill/freeride/big hit use

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
matthew morris
a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: August 30, 2013

Strengths: The keeper is good for that clean look, but not for the furious all mountain rider. So far my model(bb mount) has done well, not a single derail in my first 30 miles of riding. My 1 complaint, is that in the muddiest situations it complains loudly. I am running the keeper on my 2012 Trek Sawyer, the crank truvativ AKA on a spiderless mrp bling ring 28t. Firstly the minimum posted a 28t for this guide is not correct, the guide in he prescribed vertical position will practically clear the chain. Though with previous experience with this style guide it is useless at the top of the ring. A casual derailler sits behind the centered top of the ring and controls where the chain is going, not keeping it where it already decided to go.

Weaknesses: I had to modify, by shortening the left to right slide to clear my seatstay tube. Also to accomidate a quiet ride with a thicker chain like the sram pg 991 I had to massage the inner area slightly. The redicullous hex bolts were quickly replaced by some ti rainbow rotor bolts.

Bottom Line:

Good product, directions do not tell you the proper way to install the guide

Weaknesses: But it's way too narrow, way too bulky and way too expensive.

Bottom Line:

I generally like Paul's Components, but this thing was a huge disappointment. I'm running a 1x9 and after dropping the chain a couple times during a race I decided to shell out for a chain keeper. When it arrived, I was shocked how overbuilt and bulky it looked, like they carved it out of huge brick of aluminum or something. But whatever, so I installed it but the chain rubbed on the top three and bottom three gears, and no matter how many ways I tried to adjusted it, I was always rubbing because the width of the chain guide is about the same size as a chain. It was even worse when I tried riding because the force of the pedal stroke combined with the chain contact caused binding friction! After many, many attempts to adjust it, I simply gave up and decided to finish what Paul started with my angle grinder. I had to open up the guide several millimeters but at least it now works without rubbing. They make some great stuff, but they need to take this back to the drawing board.

Strengths: Precise machining and anodizing as is usual with Paul Components, very light, lots of adjustability.

Weaknesses: Chain guide is very narrow, guaranteeing there will be some chain rub at the top or bottom of range when using a 1x9 set up. BB mount (version tested) could use some knurls on BB shell side to keep it from slipping while tightening BB cup.

Bottom Line:

Works as advertised, but the rubbing is a little annoying. If the chain guide were about 2 millimeters wider, it would eliminate the rubbing and still not allow the chain to jump off. The middle 7 cogs work flawlessly. I am going to switch to SRAM 1x10, so I'll see if the narrower 10 speed chain plates help. The rubbing is not a deal breaker, as the wider guides (like the MRP) do allow the chain to jamb up sometimes. Like all Paul Components, this is a high quality piece, very precisely made and looks great. A little pricey, but high degree of adjustability in every direction makes it worth it.

Related Chain Keeper Forum Posts

I had a narrow/wide ring, that worked well till it wore down, so I put on a keeper:
[url=http://www.origin8.bike/product-description/?prod_model_uid=7181]Product Description | Origin8[/url]
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